Motor-vehicle.



No. 654,7l6. Patented .iuly 3|, I900.

E P. COWLES. MOTOR VEHICLE.

' (Application filed Aug. 25, 1899.). (N0 Mu eh) 5 Sheets-*Sheet l.

Patenteq luly 3|, I900.

No. 654,7l6.

E. P. COWLES.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed Al x; 25, 1899.)

(No Model.)

5 Shaets8heet 4.

No. 654,7l6.

Patented .luly 3|, I900. E. P. COWLES.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed. Aug. 25, 1899.}

{No Model.)

Tn: norms PETERS cc. Puo'rau'rna, wisuwaron, n. c.

No. 654,7l6. I

E.- P. COWLES. MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed Aug. 25, 1899.)

' Patented July 3|, I900.

25 Sheets-Sheet. 5.

(No Model.)

TH: NORRIS arms $0.. movuumoq wumusrom a. c

. ire STATES memes-Mm mwxybwnm msmwm nowARDP. cowLns, or WARREN, onto;

MOTbR-VEHIcLE.

srfnorrrcarron forming part of Letters mean... 654,716, dated any 31', ieoo.

Application filed August 25, 1299. Serial No. 728,502. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern.

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. COWLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in improvements in the driving-gear of motor-vehicle's, and has; for its objects, first, to provide a driving-gear that will work perfectly smooth and noiseless and adapted to vary the speed or leverage be-I tween motor and driving-wheels conveniently and without shock; second, to provide a reversing-coupling for motors that revolve but one Way, my invention being adapted to any kind of motor in use, and, third,-a brake of peculiar construction.

The invention consists, further,,in various improvements in construction and arrangement of parts and in specific devices for effecting the various movements, all of which will be fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a plan or top View of the running-gear of an automobile embodying myi'm- I provements. Fig. 2 is a side view of the driving-gear. Fig. 3 is a plan View and section of the friction-rollers. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the driving-gear partlyin section. Fig. 5 is a front view of the driving-gear. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 areviewsshowing details of "the reversing-coupling; and Fig. 10 is a diagramclamped. Through the tubes '1 extend the driving-axles 4, which are provided on their outer ends with the driving-wheels 5 and on their inner ends, inside of the yokes 2, with spur-gears 6. The front axle? is a single straight tube connected to the steering-wheels 8 by the usual hinge-joints 9. The axles are connected by two reach-bars 10, the connections between these bars and the axles being made by long bearing-Ts 11, in which the reach-bars and axles are free to-turn. The

reach-bars are prevented from longitudinal movement in-theT s by means of collars l2,

- fast in the reach-bars and screw-caps 13 ,whicli are screwed over them and onto the ends of the Ts, leaving the reach-bars free to turn, but confining them longitudinallyby means of the collars 12. A crossbar-15 is provided between the reach-bars a short distance in front of the rear axle, and to this cross-bar .the yokes 2 are connected by braces'to prevent them from turning under the reaction of the driving mechanism.

The driving mechanism consists of a thin disk 22 of suitable material, preferably-hardened steel or saw steelf? about sixteen 'inches or eighteen inches in diameter, mounted on a shaft 23, Fig. 2, by nut and collared hub 24, much in the same manner that a circular saw is mounted. Inside of hub 24: are

the usual difierential gears 25, which transmit the rotation power of disk 22 equally to two'sleeves 26, turning loosely on shaft 23 and having pinions 27 secured near their outer ends, which intermesh with the gears 6, secured to the inner ends of the driving-axles 4. These gears can be of any proportion. In the present instance they are as two is to one. Shaft 23 is suitably mounted in bearings 28, extending from yoke 2.

Engaging frictionally with opposite sides of disk 22 are two driven friction-rollers 29, with theirpoints of contact opposite, so that the contact-pressure of one balances or counteracts that of the other, and thusrelieves disk 22 and its bearings whollyfrom the strain of this pressure. By reason of both rollers being driven, the frictional efficiency is doubled. j These friction rollers consist of a hub 30, carrying a flange, and a nut and washer 31, a ring of suitable friction material 32, preferably indurated paper fiber, be-

ing clamped between their slightly-beveled inside surfaces. Friction-rollers 29 turn on studs 33, extending from angular blocks 34, their axes being preferably parallel withthe surface ofdisk 22. Extending from the other arm of the angular block 34: is a stud 3 5, preferably with its center line intersecting cen-I .ter line of 33 andpas sing through point of contact of roller with disk 22 perpendicular with surface of said disk. Pivot 35 serves to connect block 34 and its friction-roller to the lower arm of a lever 36,permitting a slight rotation or oscillation of friction-roller 29 to be effected and controlled by an arm 37, de-

pending from block 34 and connected by a link 38 to mechanism to be hereinafter de scribed. By this means the plane of revolutionof friction-rollers can be shifted in either direction from a position at right angles to a plane containing the axis of disk 22 and a radius passing through point of contact, as shown by full lines in Fig. 2.

The levers 36 are pivoted at 39 between the arms of a yoke 40, extending down on both sides of disk 22 from a hub 41, sliding freely on a horizontal bar 42,- extending from yoke 2. The upper ends' of levers 36 are connected by links 43 to eccentrics 44, having their centers on opposite sides of their axis 45,. 'forming a toggle-joint, by which levers 36 are made to vibrateon their pivots 39 and cause friction-rollers 29 to bite or relax their hold on disk 22 like a vise. It will beobserved that yoke 40 is self-contained and sustains pressure of friction-wheels with the "thrust and pull of eccentrics 44 independ- In Fig. ,5 I have shown means for adjust ing the levers 36to take the wear of the fric- 11011 10116123 29. In this figure the levers 36 terminate in hubs 47, in which are. pivoted.

' ous that when the rollers are biting the disk 22 it would require great power to slide them to and from its center; but when their plane of revolution is shifted fromright angles to a radius of the disk passing through the point of contact, as hereinbefore described and as shown in Fig. 2, they will traverse automatically toward the center of the disk following thebroken spiral line 48, and when the plane of revolution is shifted in the opposite direction they will traverse toward the periphery,

in the same manner. A slightforce willcause the friction-wheels when under their greatest load to traverse back and forth from center,

to circumference, and vice versa, changing the speed of the driving-wheels and the leverage of the motor, as desired. As the frictionwheels 29 traverse to and from the center of the .disks 22 they force the levers 36 and yoke v 40 along with them, the sleeve 41 of yoke 40 being freeto slide along horizontal bar 42 and thehub of eccentrics 44'being free, to slide along square rod 45..

friction-wheels29 is transmitted by levers-36,.

51 to cross-piece 15, Figs. 1 and '2.

hubs .30.

The thrust and pull ofyoke 40, and sleeve 41 to the horizontal bar 42', the front end of which is supported by a vertical bar 49, the lower end ofvwhich is secured to a forward extension from lower part-2 of yoke 2, which in turn is pivoted at In this manner the reaction from turning the driving-wheels is sustained by the perch-bars 1O 10,. 1 v

The friction-wheels 29 are preferably driven .directly from the motor 52 by means of extensible rods 53, connected at both ends by flexible or universal joints, whichmay be of any suitable form, although I prefer the form shown, consisting of four pins 54, extending radially from the ends of the rods 53,"0n which are rollers 55, Fig. 3, fitting into slots-56 cut in the hubs30, permitting'free motion in every direction. Rollers 55 are retained in slots 56 by a washer 59, secured to .the ends of the The outer parts of rods 53 are tubular, and each has a sleeve 57 on oneendprovided with feathers formed on its inside surface and fitting into grooves in a rod 58, which telescopes within the tube. In this manner .rods 53 areadapted to extend as the friction-wheels 29 traverse-toward the center of the disks 22. The ends of rods 53 toward the motorrare coupled by joints similar to those above described to pinions 60, Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, having bearings in a block 61. These pinions intermesh and cause the rods 53 and friction-whee1s29 to revolve in opposite directions and to transmit the power of the motor to both friction-wheels. The sides of pinions 60 toward the motor have clutch members 62, either one of which will fit asimilar clutch member 62 -on the motor-shaft. A block 61 slides between guides 63, attached to the motor-frame; It is guided by square pins 64, projectingfrom its upper and lower surfaces and sliding in slots 65 cut in the- .the motor-shaft clutch. -Obviously when block 61 is moved along until pins 64 register with the center recess and one of the outer ones block 61 can be pushed toward the motor, and the clutch 62, which is opposite,- will engage with the motor-clutch, and the rod 53 in line with the motor-shaft will be rotated with, it, the other rod being rotated in the opposite direct-ion. When they are moved so that the other clutch 62 is engaged, they will rotate in the opposite direction or the rotary motion of rods 53 will be reversed. This movement of block 61 is effected bymeans of four-oa'ms67, which turn 011 round portions .of the pins 64. They are all moved simul Ag! c taneously'by arms 68, connected by links69, which are brought together at 70 and manipulated by suitable levers hereinafterdescribed. Cams 67 each have two pins 71 71 on opposite sides of the center projecting outwardly and sliding in slot 65.

By referring to Fig. 9, which shows the upper side of lower guide 63, it will be seen that recesses 72 72 are cut in the side of slot for pins 71 to swing into. In the position shown in Fig. 8 the right-hand gear 60 is engaged with motor. If rod 69 is pushed to the right, cams 67 will be turned, pins 71 and 71 will bear against the side of slot 65, and block 61 will be drawn away from motor and couplings 62 and 62 disengaged. When pins 71 71 in recess 72 72 reach the straight slot 65, cams 67 can turn no farther and block 61 is moved to the right. WVhen the pins come opposite their respective recesses,cams 67 continue to turn, pins 71 71' act against the outside of slot 65, and the other two pins swing into recesses 72 72, and block 61 is forced toward motor,and left-hand coupling 62 engages motor-coupling 62 and is locked in this posi-' tion. When link 69 is drawn in the opposite direction, the same operations take place in reverse order. The inside pins 71 are made shorter, extending only half way through guide 63, and recesses 72 in center are out only half-way through; otherwise, as will be seen in Fig. 9, the long pins 71 would have no bearing to withdraw .block 61 at this point.

As hereinbefore stated, this invention is adapted to all forms of motors. The foregoing reversing device is particularly designed for hydrocarbon-motors and the like which revolve but one way, making it necessary'to provide for reversingin the driving-gear. For pressure-motors, such as steam, compressedair, and the like, which can be conveniently reversed, this reversing device would be uncalled for and would of course be left out. In such cases I would preferably have two motorshafts connected by gears 60, with rods 53 coupled directly and permanently but flexibly thereto. For obvious reasons it would be objection able to reverse while friction-rollers 29 were in contact or biting the disk 22, as it would subject all parts to great strain and wear. As will be hereinafter explained, reversing can take place only when friction-rollers are free. In this condition, the parts being of small diameter and very light weight, the inertia to be overcome is a negligible quantity, and the coupling can be safely made while motor-shaft is at full speed of six hundred revolutions per minute, the impact of coupling-teeth under these circumstances being equivalent to a body falling only eight inches. Referring again to the friction-wheels 29, Fig. 2, arm 37 is purposely placed and link 38 pivoted to it on the side of frictionroller 29 from which the periphery at point of contact with disk 22 is moving. This causes friction-roller 29 in traversing to and hereinbefore described.

from center of disk 22 to follow the lead of link 38, like a common caster-wheel, and when the movement of link 38 stops from either direction wheel 29 automatically moves into position with its plane of revolution at right angles to a radius of disk 22, passing through point of contact with wheel 29 and remains in this position until link 38 is moved again. If, however, pivots 35 are placed at one. side of radius of disk passing through point of contact, as hereinbefore mentioned, friction-roller 29 will act wholly like a casterwheel, and its plane of revolution could be shifted from perpendicular to radius of disk passing through point of contact and traversed over the disk by pushing block 34 or yoke 40. I prefer, however, the arrangement shown. It will be understood that the foregoing description of movements for drivinggear are for a forward movement of the vehicle. In abackward movement involving a reverse movement of the driving-gear it would be difficult or impossible to cause wheel 29 to traverse to and from center of disk 22, from the fact that it would lead the movement of link 38, and when this movement stopped would not come into right angular position, but have a tendency to turn around on pivot 37; but in backing it is never practicable to use anything but the slowest speed,

disk 22 and holds it there during the reverse movement of the driving-gear. The movement of angular block 34 about its pivot 35 is restricted within certain limits, about ten or fifteen degrees either way, so that when for any reason it is desired to move yoke 40 without traversing wheels 29 to and from center of disk 22 wheels 29 can be released from disk and the whole device slid along the bar 42 and wheels 29 clamped at any point.

The brake consists of two swinging blocks 74, one on each side ofdisk 22, hinged tothe yoke2 at 75. When brought together, they clamp the disk like a vice. Each piece 74: is in the form of a box adapted to hold a block 76, of suitable friction material, which is adj ustable to swinging piece 74 to take up wear by means of set-screw 79 and lock-nut 79 Levers 36 are provided with horizontal bars 77 on their upper ends, the inside faces of which are straight and parallel with sides of disk 22. They bear against lugs 78 on swinging pieces 74, and-when eccentrics 44: are turned in the direction to release friction-wheels 29 or to draw the upper ends of levers 36 together they cause the brake 7st to clamp disk 22. By this means the brake can be applied in any position of yoke 40 between-center and circumference of disk 22. The thrust of brakes 74 is received directly by yoke 2 and is transmitted to perch-bars 10 by means It will be observed.

For.

ICO

that notwithstanding the action of the brakes;

' is practically instantaneous they can never be applied when friction-wheels 29 are en gaged with disk; neither. can wheel 29 be applied when brakes are on. All strain and wear that wouldresult from this source are therefore avoided.

- Inithearrangementof levers tobringfabout the several "changes and operations if each change-were madeseparately it would require a number of levers that would be very confusing and offer great liability to accident.

I preferthe general arrangement shown in Fig. 10, where all the operations are brought about by manipulating twolevers, a steering lever 80'and a reversing-lever 81,*the various changes being divided between them in the folilowing order z For a steering-lever I prefer a horizontally-swinging lever-82, like'the' tiller of a boat, and lpreferably attach the steering pivot or fulcrum to the runningear, as it will work with greaterprecision than when attached to the body; The upright 80 is attached tothe pivot 83 by flexible joint- 84; pe'rmittingit to swing backward and'forward, beside turning steering-joint 84. Near the center of 80is attached by a joint 85, that turns :loosely around 80, a horizontal r'od'86,

working a'sliding cam-block 87. i The lower cam 88 onblock 87 engages the forked e'nd of rocking' lever 89, the lower end of which is attached to the rods 38for traversing friction;

- wheels29." The upper cam 90 engagesa simi lar for'ked lever 91, attached to the segment of a bevel-wheel 92, which meshes witha pinion' 93," attached to square shaft which turns the eccentrics 44, The back andfor ward'movement of lever 80 from a perpen i di'cular' by means o'frod 86, block 87,-camf88,

rocker-arm 89 causes wheels 29 totraverse disk 22 and vary the speed, as described. When-the lever 80 has been moved backward so far that the wheels 29 are at the extreme periphery of disk and arms 37 against stops 73, cam 90 engages fork on 91, and by means of gears 92'93, shaft 45, eccentrics 4 1, and op:

crating-levers 36 friction-wheels 29'are"re-' leased." A farther backward movement of lever 80 causes the cam 88 to override the end-of the rear arm of fork on lever 89and' 'loek said lever in its' adjusted position,- and thisba-ckward movement of lever 80 also-sets thebrakes. If new the lever 80 is moved an offset at 98, which engages one prong of fences, turning rock-shaft '94 and bymeansof its' lowerarm'95, link 69, and cams'68 re-L forward,theseoperations are reversed, brakes" arefreleased; wheels clamped, and traversing from the periphery of the disk toward the center thereof or from slow to fast commences.

The cams 6,8 and links 69 of reversing device are operated by upright rock-shaft'94,

the lower arm 95 of'which is coupledtothemat '70.- The upper arm 96 is forked like levers 91 and 89. Pivoted to reversing-lever- 81 is a horizontal slide-bar 97. This bar has versing the motion of the friction-wheels 29",

a's hereinbefore described. in the return movement; of 81 the lower offset 99 'ofbar 97 engages the lower prong of fork ,96, and the movement is reversed.

- It will'be observed that the forks 89,91,

and 96 have prongs offset, so that when'their respective cams 8890 98 99 pass the point the straight parts 100, 101,98, and 99 slide overand lock them in position. As the movements of friction-wheels 29 and brake74-nec essary in backing are eifected' by cam-block 87, instead of putting in an extra. set of mechanism'for this purposel use a device that automatically couples bar97 with camblock 87and performs these functions with "the mechanism already provided. A backward extension of bar 97 has arack 102, that 'meshes into a pinion 103, having an arm pro videdwith a pin 104, which 'works' in a slot in a vertical lever 1'05, havingits lower end pivoted and its up'perend 106 engaginga pro- 'jectionjl07 on cam-block 87.

In itsforward movement 106 engages a latch 108', which is tripped at the point w-here cam '88strikes fork '89,'so that block'87 does not renew 105 in theremainder-of its forward movement.

The cycle of movements of reversing-1ever is as follows: The initial movement from extreme'forward point-106 will engage 87 at any point where it happens to be left and traverse friction-wheels 29 to extreme periphery of disk andlock them there. When cam strikes 91 and slightly releases wheels 29, oifset98 engages 96 and reversing commences and goes on simultaneously with tightening the brakes, &c. already described. When pin104r of pinion 103 reaches .the'po sition 109, lever'105 commencesto swing for- .ward and point 106 engages latch 108, releasing brakes and'tightening wheels 29. When pm 104 reaches the position 110,'themachin e is 1 moving backward. Intheforw-ardmovement of lever 81 "themotion of pinion 103 is re versed. When lever 105 has-moved block 87 and cam 90 to engage 91 and release pressure of friction-wheels 29, the'lower-offset 99 on bar 97 engages the lower prong of fork 96 and the reversing commences and goes'on simultaneously with releasing 29 and tightening the brakes, as in the previous movement. When pin on pinion reaches position-l04, lever 1-05 is disengaged from latch 108 and the machine is, moving forward and the l'ever82 movement either in stopping or reversingis to traversethe friction-wheels 29'fr0m center to circumference of disk 22, reducing the speed, for example, from twenty to five-miles per hour before applying the" brakes.- This in itself is a very efficient brake, asit effects this reduction without slipping or friction of any sort; second, reversing cannot take place until speed is reduced, brake applied, and machine stopped; third, as hereinbefore pointed out, brakes cannot be applied when friction-wheels are engaged, and vice versa, also the friction-wheels cannot be applied except at the periphery of the disk, where they have the greatest leverage to start the machine, and then not when disk is moving in opposite direction; fourth, all the changes are positive, automatic, and interlocked, and no change can take place until the previous movement in the order has been completed, making accidents or derangements from carelessness or ineXperienc-eon the part of the driver impossible; fifth, all movements are natural-that is, a backward movement for slow,stop,orback and a forward movement for start, fast, or forward, so that nervous drivers in an emergency would make the proper movements instinctively; sixth,when stopped or the brakes applied the motoris practically disconnected from the driving mechanism.

If it is desired to use all four of the wheels as drivers, as would probably be the case in heavy machines in carrying from six to eight persons or for freighting purposes, I would place a driving-gear similar to that shown and operated in the same way in front, and I would preferably adapt all wheels for both driving and steering purposes substantially as shown and described in my patent for an improvement in traction-engines, No. 154,846, dated September 8, 1874.

I preferably place the disk 22 in position and geared to the axle, as shown. It is obvious, however, that it can be placed directly on the driving-axle 4 or any point between it and the motor or in any position, inclined, horizontal, or vertical, or the relations can be reversed and disk 22 made the driver and the friction-rollers be driven.

Another function of the rods 53, flexibly jointed at both ends, is to allow the body to play with the springs freely without interfering with the transmission of the power from the motor to drivers, and the transmission of the power has no effect to lift or pull down thebody.

It will be evident that many changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the apparatus hereinbefore described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Thus, for instance, other forms of universal or flexible joints may be introduced between the shafts 53 and the friction-rollers, equivalent devices may be substituted for the eccentrics 44, such as cranks or shafts, and other means ofmounting the friction-rollers so that their planes of movement may be adjusted angularlymay be substituted for those shown. I intend in the broaderclaims of this specification to cover all such equivalent devices and in the more specific claims to cover the particular devices illustrated and described and which at the present time seem to me to be the best embodiadjusting the plane of rotation of said frice tion-roller angularly to cause said roller to traverse the said wheel ordisk either toward or from its center. i

3. In a device for changingspecd, the combination with a rotatable wheel or disk, of a friction-roller adapted to engage said wheel or disk, a support in which said roller is pivotally mounted with freedom to turn about a line at right angles to its axis, said support and roller being bodily movable toward and away'from the center of the disk, and means for turning said roller about said line at right angles to its axis, for the purpose set forth.

4. Ina device for changing speed, the combination with a rotatable disk, of a pair of friction-rollers arranged on opposite sides of said disk and adapted to engage the same, said rollers being free to turn about a line at right angles with the disk whereby they may be. caused to traverse the disk between its center and circumference automatically, for the purpose set forth.

. 5. In a device for changing speed, the com bination with a rotatable disk, of a yoke having arms on opposite sides of said disk, friction-rollers carried by said arms and adapt ed to engage with opposite faces of said disk, said rollers being free to turn and also arranged to swing about an axis at right angles to the disk, and means for turning them simultaneously about said axis whereby they are caused to traverse the disk between its center and circumference.

6. In a device for changing speed, the com bination with a rotatable disk, of frictionrollers arranged on opposite sides of said disk, blocks having studs 33 upon which said rollers are mounted,supports to which said blocks are pivoted to move axially about a line at right angles to said disk, arms connected with the blocks, and meansfor turning said arms to cause the rollers to traverse the disk auto matically between its center and circumference.

7. The combination with a rotatable wheel or disk, of a yoke-piece having arms on op posite sides of said disk, levers pivoted on the arms of said yoke, and friction-wheels mounted on said levers and adapted to engage the disk between them.

8. The combination with a rotatable wheel governing the movements of said support or e; f I V 1 6 4,715

posite sides of said disk, leverspivoted on the arms of said yoke, and friction-wheelsmounted on said levers and adapted toengage the disk, said yoke being arranged to slide on a support which is parallel with the plane of the disk to carry said friction-rollers toward, and away from the center of the disk, for the purpose set forth. 7 g

9. The combination with a rotatable wheel or disk, of a yoke-piece having arms on 0p-' posi'te sides of said disk, leverspivoted to said arms, friotion-rollerscarried by said levers,

and eccentrics or equivalent-devices pivotal-1y supported onsaid yoke-piece and connected withsaid-levers forthe purpose of moving-therollers into and out-of engagement with the disk.- Y

10. The combination with a rotatable wheel 1 or disk, of a'yoke-piece having arms on op posite sidesof said disk, leverspivotedto'said" arms, extension-pieces adjustably connected to said levers, friction-rollers carried by said extension-pieces and adapted to engage the disk, andmeans for simultaneously: rocking the levers to move the rollers into and-out of engagement with thedisk.

t 11, The reversing device comprising a motor-shaft provided with a clutch member, a. pair of shafts to be'd'riven thereby, and each provided with a clutch-membenand means for engaging the motor-shaft clutohmember gith either of the driven-shaft clutch mem ers.

12.;A reversing device comprising a m0v-' ableblock, a pairof shafts having bearings in said block, int-ermeshing gears on said shafts whereby they are made to rot-ate in opposite directions, clutch members on said shafts, a motor-shaft having a clutch membetand means for shifting said block and shafts to engageeither of their clutch members at-will with the motor-shaft whereby said driven shafts may be driven in either direction as desired. 7

, ,13. A reversing device comprisinga motor-' shaft having a clutch member, a pair ofshafts to be driven thereby each provided with a clutch member, intermeshing gears on said shafts, a common support or blOClQiIl which said shafts are mounted, and cams block whereby the clutch member of either driven shaft may be locked in engagement with .the motor-shaft clutch member, for the purpose set forth. 7

14." The combination with a-disk tobe driven, of friction-rollers arranged on opposite sides of said disk and movable radially of the disk to vary its speed, extensible shafts for'driving said friction-rollers, intermeshing gears onsaid shafts, clutch members on said shafts, a motor-shaft having a or-disk, of a-yoke-piece having arms on op- I driven, of friction=rollerson .oppositesides of thedisk and movable radially thereto tovary its speed, extensible driving-shafts for ;said friction-rollers, inter-meshing gears on said driving-shafts, flexible joints connect- 4 ing said shafts withsaid rollers and gears, a imotor-shaft having a'clut-ch member, corre-- sponding clutchmembers on said gears, and ,means-for shifting the gears to engage either of them at will with the motor-shaft clutch member, for the purpose set forth.

16. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a driven disk,-of apair of friction-wheels arranged on opposite, sides of said'disk for driving the same, apair of brake-shoes on opposite sides of saiddisk, and a-common means for engaging the friction-rollers and the brake-shoes alternately with theudisk to operate and stopthesamert 17. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a-disk,friction-rollers arranged on opposite sidesof saiddisk, levers upon which said friction-rollers are mounted,-and means for rocking the levers to engage and disengage the. frictionrollers and disk, of movable brake-shoes arranged on opposite sides of the disk, and connections between said levers and brake-shoes whereby the movement of the levers to disengage the rollers-efli'ects the application of thebrake-shoesto the disk.-

18. In amotor-vehicle, the combination of adisk, friction-rollers on opposite sides of said disk, means for moving said rollers'ra dially of the disk to vary its speed, levers for clamping and releasing said frictionrollers, brake-shoes movablymo-unted on opposite sides of the disk, and connections 7 between said levers and said brake-shoes whereby the latter -are applied when the levers are moved to disengage the frictionrollers from the disk, the braking power being the same in any adjustment of the-levers and friction-rollers with respect to the center of the disk; 7 j

.19. In a motor vehicle, the combination with a motor, driving-wheels, andmechan-isms for applying brakes, varying speed, and connecting anddiscon'necting the motor, of a single operating-lever connected to said mechan- I isms, and means whereby the rearward movement of said lever brings the speed to a minimum, then disconnects the motor and finally applies the brakes, and the reverse or forward movement of said lever successively releases the brakes, connects the motor to the driv- V ing-wheels at reduced speed, and finally increases the speed to a maximum, substantially as set forth.

a lever for operating said means, and meansfor interlocking the reversing and disconnecting mechanisms whereby the motor must be t pw? disconnected before the direction of rotation of the driving-wheels can be reversed.

21. In a device for changing speed,the combination with a driven disk, of a pair of friction-rollers arranged on opposite sides of said disk and adapted to engage and drive the same, blocks upon which said rollers are bination of the driven disk, the friction-roller for driving the same, a pivotally-mounted block carrying said roller, the arm for adjusting said block about an axis at right angles to the disk, and the stop 73 for limiting the outward movement of said arm.

23. The combination with the driven disk, of a friction-roller for driving the same, a block in which said friction-roller is mounted with freedom for adjustment about an axis at right angles to the plane of the disk, the driving-shaft for said friction-roller, and the joint between said driving-shaft and frictionroller comprising the hollow sleeve on one of said parts provided with longitudinal slots, and the radial pins on the other part cooperating with said slots.

24. In a motor vehicle, the combination with the driving-wheels, a disk for driving the same, a motor for driving said disk, and brakeshoes cooperating with said disk, of means for alternately applying the motor and the brake-shoes to said disk, and a steering-lever connected to and operating said means and also connected to the steering-wheels, substantially as described.

25. In a motor -vehicle, the combination with a shaft, such as 4.5, for controlling the motor and the brake, of a steering-lever, and connections between said lever and said shaft for turning the latter as the former is moved forward or backward.

26. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a shaft, such as 45, for operating the brakes and connecting and disconnecting the motor, of a lever for operating said shaft, and connections comprising a sliding rod 86, forked arm 91, cam-piece on said rod for operating said arm and bevel-gears 92, 93 connecting said arm and saidshaft, for the purpose set forth.

27. In a reversing-gear for motor-vehicles, the combination with a driven disk, and friction-wheels adjustable radially to said disk to change its speed, of devices for reversing the direction of said friction-wheels, a lever for operating said devices, and connections between the speed changing and reversin devices whereby the reversal can be only brought about when the friction-wheels are brought to the periphery of the driving-disk.

28. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor adapted to run in one direction only, of reversing devices, speed-changing devices, motor-disconnecting devices, and operating mechanism for all of said devices so interlocked that the speed must necessarily be reduced to a minimum and the motor then disconnected before the reversing device proper can operate to change the direction of movement of the vehicle.

29. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with means for varying the speed, and means for applying a brake, of a motor, and connections for operating said means, the speed varying and braking means being so interlocked that the speed must be reduced to a minimum before the brake can be applied.

30. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of speed-changing means, a forked lever 89 for operating the same, braking means, and a forked lever 91 for operating the same, with a cam-block having projections to engage said forked levers and operate them alternately.

31. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with forked levers such as 89 and 91, the prongs of said forks being otiset, of a camblock having projections to operate on one prong of each fork, and elongated surfaces to cooperate with the other prong of each fork, whereby the forked levers are operated dur inga portion of the movement of the cam-- block, said levers being arranged to operate alternately.

32. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of speed-changing and motor-disconnecting devices, and a lever for operating the same, of

reversing devices, an independent lever for fork, and the lever connected to said rod.

In testimony whereof I affix .my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDIVARD P. OOWLES. Witnesses:

RoBT. E. GoR'roN, W. D. PACKARD. 

